The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-04
LAWYER SWEETS BRIDE.
The Chicago Woman Who Took Care of the
Affairs of q Law Firm.

Philadelphia Times.
The marriage of Leonard SWEET the famous
Chicago lawyer and friend of President Lincoln
to Miss Mary Decker. member of the bride
grooms law firm, was strictly private affair,
fewer than a dozen persons witnessing the
ceremony. The bride born in Cologne,
on the Rhine. thirty years ago q. , she
Her father had been well-to-do IN Germany.
and when he came to this country brought con
siderable means, which he invested in business
and property in Chicago. All was swept away
in the great fire and the family was left almost
without means of support Fortunately Miss
Decker had been well educated at Catholic con-
vents in Germany and Belgium while yet but lit
tie more than child, SO that she possessed the
ability to write and speak huently the German,
French and English LANGUAGES, besides many
other accomplishments, especially music When
the crash came 1871 and MIR. and Mrs. Decker
were left without home or money,
their eldest daughter. Marie. at once
became the support of the family. She
threw aside her much-loved music and
struck out into the world of business. Her
knowledge of bookkeeping and mathematics,
her familiarity with foreign languages and her
energetic spirit irresistible. From the
humble beginning of book-keeper in a small firm,
she rose step by step, first to an I'm porsans posi-
ten in the postofice under Postmaster Palmer
then TO the chief clerkship of Mr.. Swetts law
firm. later to a partnership interest In the hrm
and finally to become the bride OF the great
lawyer at whose hands she sought modest
clerkship seven years ago. For fifteen years she
has served either in the capacitp of clerk, cashier
or manager, and during that time has turned
over to her parents assist in the support of
the family in addition to clothing herself the
handsome sum of $40. 600.
AS a local paper says, however. it would be
impossible to tell the story of the life of Leonard
Swett's bride in single paragraph. Her first
decided success was achieved in the postofice,
where in the management of foreign mail mat
ter, her knowledge of the languages came into
service. and her accuracy and reliability were
recognized by all. She had already established
a valuable name in Chicago business circles
when she presented herself to Leonard
SWEET for a position in his law Offices.
Fer application at once accepted, and
in short time she became practically lndspen-
sable the business Starting out as book
keeper, she placed in charge of the
vaults. and was the only one connected with
the firm who knew where to place hands upon
important papers connected with all the varied
interests intrusted to the firm. In two years
she became cashier and has for fonr years
handled every dollar of the firms immense law
business Three years ago she was admitted as
partner, her interest for the first year yielding
her So 500. the second So. 500. and the last year
over S. 000 This growth is representative OF
the increase of Mr.. Swetts business since he
regained his health which he claims Is largely
due to her abilities. During Mr. Swett's illness,
when for two three years he was travelling
in the South and other parts for his health,
Miss Decker-the bride of today-was tho main
stay of the business. She looked after the col
lection of fees and kept the business intact, re-
hitting funds to the sick man abroad and to the
late invalid wife at home. proving herself equal
to the most serious emergency.